This Friday, James Bond is back with his passport full of exotic stamps. I am usually not an action movie goer, but 007 films with their beautifully shot destinations are the exception. Quantum of Solace lists seven different countries in the film location credits and will take place mainly in Europe and South America. 
Daniel Craig as James Bond in the Bahamas for Casino Royale.
A play on the traditional Christmas wreath and stocking featured in Cottage Living, accented by the ubiquitous (but still lovely) Imperial Trellis.
The GoGo Gorillapod is a flexible, mini tripod that attaches to your camera and can cling to almost any surface. It's perfect for those situations when you want your entire group in the picture, but you don't want to bother a passerby or risk having a stranger run off with your camera. (Does that ever happen in real life, or just in the movies?) It can also be used as a stand for your iPhone. 
Since we don't have Slim Aarons following us around, the mini tripod is how we took advantage of this photo op. (The result was our 2006 Christmas card). 
The eco-friendly, live succulent wreath from Viva Terra.
Another idea for a Thanksgiving hostess gift is to send potted succulents from an establishment like Succulent L.A.. The mission behind this "flora design" firm, conceived by actress Samantha Mathis and interior designer Ryann Davis, was to create a low-maintenance, environmentally responsible alternative to cut flowers. And trust me--these plants are idiot proof. 
They also make pretty place holders (and take-home favors) for your dinner table. 
I'm off to see this movie.
Dining area designed by Top Design's Nathan Thomas.
Lush Life is the type of shop Jeff Lewis would patronize (in the supportive definition) if he was a local. The aesthetic is masculine and modern, yet as lush and lively as the sign on the door suggests. 
And it is the only house in Atlanta with two live palms in front--not an easy feat in our winter climate.
I look forward to seeing what Lush Life's Bill Hudgins plan is for the front porch and terrace of Atlanta's upcoming Christmas House. Above is an example of one of his simple and chic arrangements photographed for Christmas House sponsor, Atlanta Homes and Lifestyles.
And in case you are unfamiliar with the aforementioned tune, I suggest picking up a copy of John Coltrane's version, recorded in 1957. It would make a great stocking stuffer!
I am so impressed with the creativity that has come out of this election season. So impressed, that I am ready to take a nice three year break from the crafty campaigning and get down to business.
I was so sad to learn that one of Atlanta's great interior designers, Joye Hirsch had recently passed away from ovarian cancer. Her neutral palette and edited design style helped set her apart from the crowd in a time when Atlanta was still clinging to chintz and chotzkes.
Joye Hirsch's work has been photographed for numerous magazines over the years, including the most recent issue of Southern Accents where a Hanukkah table she designed is featured. 
Banyan Leaf Bowls
Cloisonné Ornaments
Mercury-Glass Votives
Bulldog Bottle Opener (of course, this could just be a Georgia thing). 
Leather-Bound Journals and Pencil Boxes
(Photos 1 and 3 = Eddie Ross, Photos 2 and 4 = Pottery Barn) 
Inspired by my husband's original Jack-o-Antlern, I decided to give it a try myself this year. I did not have the energy to go all out on the face--carving pumpkins is exhausting! 
For the last ten years, I have been using my great-grandmother's sterling silver for everyday use. In the beginning, it made me feel special, elevating all of those takeout moments into something a little more highbrow. But this morning when I reached for a spoon, all I found was an unappetizing black film coating dull and lifeless metal. I know my silverware needs to be polished, but didn't I just labor over that chore a couple of weeks ago? I can't take it anymore. Today I broke down and ordered dishwasher safe, stainless steel flatware. 
Convenience winning out over style feels kind of like trading in the convertible for a minivan, but I am hoping that I can satisfy both the angel and devil sitting on my shoulder with this Kyoto Flatware from Crate and Barrel. I already had a few rogue pieces of this pattern floating around, and I like it for it's similarity to Tiffany and Co.'s 1961 sterling Bamboo pattern below. (The pattern is discontinued, but can be still be collected via Replacements).
The good news is that my old silver will be polished and ready the next time I need it. In the meantime, I may take a cue from the Asian motif and incorporate orchids into the holiday table as Cottage Living has done.
Schumacher's Zimba has really been growing on me lately. Perhaps I am finding beauty in a familiar pattern...
Tinsley Mortimer's quintessential Park Avenue dining room, via Jennifer Jane's Style Journal.
Park Avenue Potluck.
The Park Avenue Diet.
For the past decade, Southern Accents has presented us with a pretty, but somewhat sleepy selection of pale blue and beige bedrooms. Imagine my surprise to turn the page and discover this high contrast, David Hicksian wonder by Atlanta designer Barbara Howard. 
The bedroom was designed for the Showhouse at Reynolds Plantation, part of Lake Oconee in Greensboro, Georgia. I had to do a double take--this room belongs to a lake house in rural Georgia? The times are a-changin'. 
Even though Lake Oconee is only 1.5 hours east of Atlanta, I have yet to visit. One of these days, I am going to hop over for a day of pampering at The Ritz Carlton Lodge at Reynolds Plantation. For the time being however, I am staycation city. 
Images are from Joyce Lee's "Home Reimagined" series, discovered via Red Thread.
Nice try, Bravo. I caught you trying to slip this classic Buckhead home into your montage of OTP McMansions the other night on The Real Housewives of Atlanta. 
How design fabulous was last week's "Jet Set" episode of Mad Men? I was lamenting the fact that there are no good photos of the Palm Springs interiors until I found a this delicious assortment on Hatch (posted by fellow Atlantan, The Bubb Report). I am seriously crying over the fact that there are only two more episodes to go until the season ends.
According to commenters, "The Jet Set" could have been filmed at Frank Sinatra's former Palm Springs home, Twin Palms. This could also be totally wrong, since mid-century modern architecture can start looking overly familiar to my untrained eye. Still, it is fun to imagine. Take a photo tour (or rent it for the weekend) here.
Poolside at the Twin Palms, then and now.
Opening night at the Emily Amy Gallery
One of my favorite examples of living with contemporary art: A Damien Hirst hangs above a French sofa in Johnson Hartig's living room. Photographed by Paul Costello for Domino Magazine September 2007.)
